One fifth use marijuana now

TORONTO
December 9th, 2015 - In a random sampling of public opinion taken by
the Forum Poll™ among 1369 Canadian adults 18 years of age and older, one fifth
have used marijuana or cannabis in the past year (19%) and one quarter will use
it in the future once it is legal (24%). Anticipated usage is highest among the
youngest (41%), mid income groups ($40K to $60K - 29%), in BC (29%), among
Green voters (42%). Groups especially likely to not use it include the oldest
(8%) and Francophones (16%), as well as Conservative voters (11%).

Plurality wants it legalized immediately

While
about one quarter of Canadians think marijuana should never be legalized (24%),
the largest group of those who want it legalized think it should happen
immediately (22%). Relatively equal proportions think legalization can happen
in the next few months (15%) or in the next year (14%) but few will wait until
the next election (5%). About one sixth think legalization must wait until them
provinces have been consulted (16%). Among those who use it now, more than half
want it legalized immediately (52%), and relatively equal proportions will
settle for legalization in the next few months (18%) or in the next year (16%).

Most want corporate production,
distribution model

The
largest groups of Canadians in total believe marijuana should be grown by large
companies and sold through government agencies where it can be restricted,
regulated and taxed (40%). Just one sixth opt for an individual model where
private consumers may grow the product and distribute it as they see fit (as
long as they restrict it by age - 15%). A similar proportion wants to see a
combined model, with corporate production and distribution coupled with an
individual grower exemption. Just more than a quarter do not want to see any
model used, and these are citizens opposed to the legalization of marijuana.
Current marijuana users are relatively equally likely to favour the corporate
model (31%), the individual model (33%) and the combination model (28%).
Interestingly, one tenth of current users do not want to see any legalized
distribution (9%).

Most want marijuana revenues to go to
debt reduction

When
presented with a list of areas where marijuana tax revenues could be spent, the
most popular is deficit and debt reduction (21%), followed by drug addiction
treatment programs (17%) and general revenues (14%). Other beneficiaries not as
widely supported include a tax break (12%), infrastructure and transit (10%)
and alcohol addiction treatment programs (3%).

“It appears, while the solid citizens of
Canada see the benefits of legalizing marijuana, and can already see where some
of the taxes might go, they are cautious about opening up production and
distribution too much. Current users of boo, however, are more agnostic about
the ideal distribution system, and would like to see an individual grower
exemption as well as the government sponsored retailing model,” said Forum
Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and
founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com
or at (416) 960-9603.